Lions cop $2.5 million financial loss

The Brisbane Lions have felt the brunt of a huge net operating loss of more than $2.5 million over the past 12 months.

It's the fifth straight year the Lions have recorded a loss and it's their third seven-figure blow in a row, following $1.8m in 2011 and another $2.5m in 2010.

The AFL club on Wednesday announced their $2,513,262 net loss for the 2012 financial year (ending October 31) was largely due to its major long-term investment, the LionsSpringwood entertainment venue.

In a letter to members, Lions chairman Angus Johnson said Brisbane had "aggressively" repaid debt relating to LionsSpringwood in the first year of a five-year strategic plan.

Johnson said the strategic plan was aimed at delivering long-term sustainable earnings and on-field success.

"While we are still some way from achieving our aim, we have taken a number of significant steps towards this, including improvement in on-field performance, which resulted in the team increasing its wins from four in 2011 to 10 in 2012," he said.

"The continued development of such a young list is critical to our club's progress - and to the growth of the AFL in Queensland."

Johnson labelled LionsSpringwood "a financial success story" for the club after it passed the 100,000-member mark.